Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages?

[oldyeller]

Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages? Over the years I have been to all of the restaurants here in the Villages and have found it difficult to get a good meal. That doesn�t mean I haven�t had a good meal in The Villages but lately it seems to have been hit and miss and mostly miss. Palmer and Lopez are for the most part the exception but they are not immune. The other night I went to EP and against my better judgment I had their prime rib special with au jus. I ordered it two years ago at another restaurant (it was bad) but thought I would give it another try. It was terrible, a thin cut of beef with gravy disguised as the au jus. Granted it was a good price but I am willing to pay extra for a good cut of prime rib. Another night I had the special at MCC, all you can eat tilapia, terrible! Last year we had friends in town and who ordered steak, at I forget where, it was embarrassing what they brought out. I have found that except for the simple stuff like a salad or a sandwich most of the entrees are at best sub par. I realize there are a variables that determine whether a restaurant can turn a profit or not, especially here in The Villages and I didn�t buy a house here for the food but it would be nice not to have to throw the dice every time you order food here in The Villages.

[G&P SSSKI]

You could always eat at home

[DonH57]

We've been in TV just a year. Never had a problem so far. We've even went to restaurants that other posters have complained about and never had an issue.

[Vinny]

Everyone who visits me here loves the food. Maybe the food is not for your taste. I eat at home and rarely eat out. Usually when we have out of town visitors.

[Bosoxfan]

Never had a bad meal@ Bonefish or The Cotillion.

[DougB]

Do you want some cheese to go with your w... Oh, nevermind.

[manaboutown]

High end restaurants such as those found in New York, San Francisco, and Paris are supported by many people who live or visit there willing and able to spend big bucks for their ambiance, drinks, wine and meals properly prepared by trained staff using high quality ingredients. Such restaurants depend upon the patronage of people having sizable expense accounts and/or fat wallets. Their chefs are frequently paid in six figures. Although I have been lucky enough to find some tasty eateries in "middle America" communities, none of them have been Michelin five star rated.

[mickey100]

We have found some nice restaurants in Ocala and Orlando. We've also had good luck at Bonefish. Its a chain, obviously, but they do a good job, and we've found the service to be excellent.

[Penryn]

We share your experience and understand many have not had the same problems. We eat out a lot and after over two years of trying to eat in The Villages we switched to off-campus resturants. Some we enjoy are the Longhorn Steak House, Outback, Taverna Red, Little Joey's, and Mimi's in Ocala. Good luck.

[JP]

I really haven't had a bad meal in TV. Maybe it depends on expectations and what you order.

[swimdawg]

I really haven't had a bad meal in TV. Maybe it depends on expectations and what you order.

I'm with you. I'm out every night when I'm in TV and I can't remember having a bad dining experience. I know some of my friends like to go to chains for dinner but I tell them I can go to chains back in Western New York....so we usually go to Country Clubs. No complaints!

[oldyeller]

You could always eat at home

I thought of that thank you.

[oldyeller]

Do you want some cheese to go with your w... Oh, nevermind.

Not whining just thought it was a topic for discussion!

[oldyeller]

We have found some nice restaurants in Ocala and Orlando. We've also had good luck at Bonefish. Its a chain, obviously, but they do a good job, and we've found the service to be excellent.

True, I have also but the question remains, why is it so difficult to get a good meal in The Villages?

[kittygilchrist]

Hey, maybe, Oldyeller, it's because we need a new restaurant.

[sharonga]

I HATE CHAIN RESTAURANTS and that's all there is here. Never cooked at home as much as I have since moving here. Everything is full of salt. Yes, we also leave The Villages to find decent restaurants.

[redwitch]

As hard as it may be to do, the trick may be to lower your expectations. If you're like me, you're used to good restaurants even in suburbia because they're competing with San Francisco restaurants. That makes a huge difference in quality.

The factors I've found that make it difficult to find a truly good meal here are (1) enough people aren't willing to pay the price for a good meal; (2) for many, their taste buds have dulled and, therefore, cooks (not many chefs here) don't have to work as hard to make a meal be good; (3) folks are willing to settle for lower quality to save money so they can eat out most nights.

I have found that food quality does seem to go up during snowbird season (wonder if it has something to do with a willingness to send back a bad meal -- something we frogs seem to be hesitant to do).

[Happinow]

This has been a topic of discussion many times. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. One mans fine dining is another mans McDonalds. Everyone's taste is different but it seems most of the restaurants cook the same. I find Lopez and Palmer an exception the the rule. We wondered the same thing when we moved here. I think it's because there aren't many independently owned restaurants. Most of the restaurants have a pub feel to them. No real good dining. Just greasy fried pub food. I was in Spanish Springs yesterday and a couple who were visiting And thinking of buying here, asked me where a good Italian restaurant was and I was embarrassed to say there wasn't any. I think you either get use to it or cook more at home. That's what I did.

[Carl in Tampa]

I lived in New Orleans for several years and often ate at Antoine's, Broussard's, Brennan's and Galatoires as well as private spots that tourists never learn of, such as Bozo's.

I simply don't expect to find cuisine and service of that quality in a retirement community.

Speaking directly to that point, can you name a retirement community that has the type of restaurant you are looking for?

:mmmm:

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We've had a few bad experiences but mostly it's been fair to excellent. Little Joey's reminds me of the little Italian restaurants that we had in my home town just outside Boston. Carrabas is excellent as is Longhorn Steakhouse. For Chinese food, Koyami is excellent although the portions are very small. Sakura has excellent Japanese hibachi meals and sushi.

We didn't like Luiginos at all or Red Sauce down at Lake Sumter Landing. The Thai restaurant down there is very inconsistent. We went there when we first moved in and loved it. Went back six months later and it was pretty bad.

Overall, the food her is fair and it takes a while to get used to the slow service.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We've had a few bad experiences but mostly it's been fair to excellent. Little Joey's reminds me of the little Italian restaurants that we had in my home town just outside Boston. Carrabas is excellent as is Longhorn Steakhouse. For Chinese food, Koyami is excellent although the portions are very small. Sakura has excellent Japanese hibachi meals and sushi.

We didn't like Luiginos at all or Red Sauce down at Lake Sumter Landing. The Thai restaurant down there is very inconsistent. We went there when we first moved in and loved it. Went back six months later and it was pretty bad.

I watch many of the Patriots games at Gators Dockside in Spanish Springs and usually have lunch there. Their burgers and salads are very good. Typical pub lunch food. Not great, but very good for lunch. TooJay's is OK, but I thought very overpriced.

Overall, the food her is fair and it takes a while to get used to the slow service.

[Villageshooter]

We are just a bunch of old people All we want is cheap Just look at the places around Golden corral is packed It is one step above the Food kitchen for homeless people as far as quality goes cleanliness it's filthy but it's packed every night, They have to almost give the food away here for people with coupons to come The high dollar places with good-quality good service just can't make it Some Saturday morning going to Bob Evans and watch the people coming in there with coupons Go to Dunkin' Donuts and people are Cheating the coupon codes so they can have a free doughnut these are not people that are willing to pay sensible prices for sensible food. It is what it is just like people tell me when I complain about the place if you don't like it move. I tried to go to as many places as I can off of Morris property, The little mom-and-pop places care about their customers and have pride in the food that they provide. This does not solve your problem however it does explain some of the reasons for it.
L

[mixsonci]

You could always eat at home

This is the kind of comment that is not necessary. The OPs question was real and he was looking to see how others feel and their opinions, not sarcasm. We can always eat at home, but going out to a restaurant is a nice change and many people probably eat out quite a bit. This is the same kind of sarcasm I received with one of my questions. Not nice.

[Golfingnut]

Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages? Over the years I have been to all of the restaurants here in the Villages and have found it difficult to get a good meal. That doesn�t mean I haven�t had a good meal in The Villages but lately it seems to have been hit and miss and mostly miss. Palmer and Lopez are for the most part the exception but they are not immune. The other night I went to EP and against my better judgment I had their prime rib special with au jus. I ordered it two years ago at another restaurant (it was bad) but thought I would give it another try. It was terrible, a thin cut of beef with gravy disguised as the au jus. Granted it was a good price but I am willing to pay extra for a good cut of prime rib. Another night I had the special at MCC, all you can eat tilapia, terrible! Last year we had friends in town and who ordered steak, at I forget where, it was embarrassing what they brought out. I have found that except for the simple stuff like a salad or a sandwich most of the entrees are at best sub par. I realize there are a variables that determine whether a restaurant can turn a profit or not, especially here in The Villages and I didn�t buy a house here for the food but it would be nice not to have to throw the dice every time you order food here in The Villages.

When you order the special especially if it is at a discounted price, you could be getting a product that is close to expiration and even a bigger problem is specials are often cooked up too far in advance of the expected rush and loose quality before being served. Hence, the saying, you get what you pay for. Go back to one of these places and order the highest price dinner on the menu and report back to us about the quality.

[jblum315]

As hard as it may be to do, the trick may be to lower your expectations. If you're like me, you're used to good restaurants even in suburbia because they're competing with San Francisco restaurants. That makes a huge difference in quality.

The factors I've found that make it difficult to find a truly good meal here are (1) enough people aren't willing to pay the price for a good meal; (2) for many, their taste buds have dulled and, therefore, cooks (not many chefs here) don't have to work as hard to make a meal be good; (3) folks are willing to settle for lower quality to save money so they can eat out most nights.

I have found that food quality does seem to go up during snowbird season (wonder if it has something to do with a willingness to send back a bad meal -- something we frogs seem to be hesitant to do).

What Redwitch said

[graciegirl]

I think that I must not have a sophisticated palate as some who complain about the food here on campus.


. I love to cook and I have tried some challenging dishes over time and frequently have friends over to dine. I have eaten at five star restaurants over time and Sweetie and I have gone to several European countries in the past and have eaten some very satisfying meals. I lived in the Midwest and we are accustomed to just plain old roasts and lots of vegetables and fruits and have had some excellent teachers all around us in the art of baking and cooking. And I can comfortably follow most recipes and find cooking easy and fun.


I have had some decent meals here in The Villages and some good meals and some excellent ones. I feel that the prices are very fair for the quality of food we are served and I have NEVER felt that I could say the food was poor here generally.


I know that most of us are trying to outlive our savings and I no longer feel that I can spend over a hundred dollars for a meal for two often. I think that most of the restaurants here do a good job of giving most of us what we want.


I enjoy the big ole' Nathans hot dog and a soft drink at Sam's Club sometimes at lunchtime when I am shopping that costs $1.49 as much as my favorite places here to dine, Carrabas and Nancy Lopez.


Very much looking forward to the good stuff we are having today at our own table.


Very grateful for all of the good things, including a very good meal from time to time.


Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Hope you share it with someone who smiles at you and give you several good hugs.

[2BNTV]

Have you tried Oakwood for barbeque ribs and Vic Embers for steak?

I don't have descriminate taste buds, but that's me. It's very rare that restaurants will cook to the quality of one's use to at home. I don't mean that scarcastically, because my mother cooked and had a restaurant. I noticed that some people gave her instructions, on how they wanted something cooked. It was a different world, back in the sixties!. I have found very few restaurants, that made something of the same quality, better than mom cooked, but again, that's just me.

I have yet to try Little Joey's, up on 441, on the left side, going north. Hopefully, it will be good. :smiley:

BTW - It's hard to screw up breakfast, and their are several places that serve a great breakfast. For example, Rae Rae's in Fruitland Park, Cracker Barrel, Billy's Cafe and Sonrise. Gracie likes Bob Evans. An Ohio based company. I am looking forward, to going to Rae Rae's as I heard it was great!!

[gomoho]

Gracie - I believe you are onto something with us trying to outlive our savings. I would be willing to bet most of us need to remain conscious of what we spend on eating out and need prices to be reasonable to do so; therefore, the food is usually adequate. I think dining out in The Villages is designed to satisfy your social desire rather than your palate. The conflict comes in when people choose to dine out every night, I suspect that gets very boring when it comes to food. I learned early on having special friends in my home for dinner works much better - food is good, we can hear each other, and it is very relaxing. To each his own.

[mickey100]

True, I have also but the question remains, why is it so difficult to get a good meal in The Villages?

I think Redwitch's comments were on point. Personally we don't eat out every night, its once a week for us, so perhaps that makes our standards higher? On my one night out I'm not going to go to a place like Golden Corral, I prefer a place with good food along with ambiance. But I do know there are a lot of people that just don't cook, and they are probably looking for bargains/cheap food, and Villages restaurants cater to that. And with the influx of snowbirds in the high season, all the restaurants are packed, so unless a place is absolutely horrible it will get a lot of customers. Although you'd think there might be at least one high end restaurant around. After all, even though we are a retirement community, it is one the size of a small city.

[elainecohen]

I cannot recommend the Cotillion...we have had a couple of bad meals there (extremely salty) and also bad service...one time it them 45 minutes to bring out an overcooked hamburger...will not go back.

[rubicon]

My wife and I are not inclined to eat out often. However so as not to appear to be non-sociable we will occasionally go with "the group".

In contrast there are some retirees who like to party hardy and this issue of a "good restaurant is important.

As to the OP's question I tend to agree. I also do not believe that a high price equates to a good meal. I found a few local restaurants here where the price is above the market norm and the experience disappointing.

Depending on the time of year the lines are long, the service sometimes delayed and the quality passable. It all seems a lot of hassle just to have something to eat

My wife and I enjoy cooking, have our favorites and relish sharing our meals in celebration.

As to costs the ruling issue is utility" for my dollar and that has everything to do with how much I am willing to pay or as Wilder said "some people know the price of everything but the value of nothing.

[leftyf]

I can't say I have ever had a bad meal in TV restaurants either. My favorite prime rib is the bone in prime rib at Cody's Roadhouse. Luigino's is our favorite for Italian food. I don't eat tilapia, I would rather eat Pollock.

[graciegirl]

Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages? Over the years I have been to all of the restaurants here in the Villages and have found it difficult to get a good meal. That doesn�t mean I haven�t had a good meal in The Villages but lately it seems to have been hit and miss and mostly miss. Palmer and Lopez are for the most part the exception but they are not immune. The other night I went to EP and against my better judgment I had their prime rib special with au jus. I ordered it two years ago at another restaurant (it was bad) but thought I would give it another try. It was terrible, a thin cut of beef with gravy disguised as the au jus. Granted it was a good price but I am willing to pay extra for a good cut of prime rib. Another night I had the special at MCC, all you can eat tilapia, terrible! Last year we had friends in town and who ordered steak, at I forget where, it was embarrassing what they brought out. I have found that except for the simple stuff like a salad or a sandwich most of the entrees are at best sub par. I realize there are a variables that determine whether a restaurant can turn a profit or not, especially here in The Villages and I didn�t buy a house here for the food but it would be nice not to have to throw the dice every time you order food here in The Villages.




Old Yeller. I ask this only because I wonder WHAT is your favorite meal? Your usual birthday meal, or the meal that you order that always makes you feel good? Where do you find it or did you find it in your old area? What makes is really, really GOOD? Is it because it is a certain ethnicity, or served in a pleasant way or served with a nice background and quick service? What food is YOUR favorite and where do you usually find it?


Does price enter into this really good meal, when you think what it is? AND do you dine out often?

[BarryRX]

I think Gracie (as usual) hit it right on the head in her earlier post. This is a retirement community that is located in a very sparsely populated area. The immediate surrounding areas are a bit impoverished. Great meals can be had in Florida in the major urban centers like Miami, Tampa-St. Pete, Jacksonville, Orlando, Gainesville, etc. But we can see from previous posts that even though our population is now about 90,000 (in season), many people prefer to eat at home. The fact that we can get some good meals around here is a testament to those entrepreneurs that take a chance on a very tough business. It's part of the price we pay for the benefit of being away from the traffic and crime that come with larger metropolitan areas.

[NotGolfer]

I think Gracie (as usual) hit it right on the head in her earlier post. This is a retirement community that is located in a very sparsely populated area. The immediate surrounding areas are a bit impoverished. Great meals can be had in Florida in the major urban centers like Miami, Tampa-St. Pete, Jacksonville, Orlando, Gainesville, etc. But we can see from previous posts that even though our population is now about 90,000 (in season), many people prefer to eat at home. The fact that we can get some good meals around here is a testament to those entrepreneurs that take a chance on a very tough business. It's part of the price we pay for the benefit of being away from the traffic and crime that come with larger metropolitan areas.

Right on BarryRX!!! Epiquirian wasn't what we expected when we moved here. I've had some mediocre meals here and I've had some great ones. It depends on expectations as so many folks expressed here. We tend to eat at home more than "out". What I like about "out" is that I don't have to prepare the food then clean up after.....it's just nice to be waited on once in a while. :clap2:

[hoopsterdad]

my wife and i eat out normally, 5 days a week. that just fits our lifestyle, and is more cost effective for us. majority of the time, our meals are good. being full time for 5 years, we have learned where to go, when to go, and how to go. being from wyoming, perhaps my expectations for a good meal are not the same as some folks. none the less, we are satisfied. we do make some journeys to brunswick, ga., to enjoy some really good mexican and bbq.

[duffysmom]

This is the kind of comment that is not necessary. The OPs question was real and he was looking to see how others feel and their opinions, not sarcasm. We can always eat at home, but going out to a restaurant is a nice change and many people probably eat out quite a bit. This is the same kind of sarcasm I received with one of my questions. Not nice.

:bigbow:

[tpop1]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone...Have a great day!

It's long been my opinion that restaurants here are under extreme price pressure and therefore:


Have to employ cooks not chefs,
Have to price entrees at @ $12.95 as opposed to $18.95 to $22.95 as in city restaurants,
Have to by low quality product to compete at this price point, and
Have to have low cost Happy Hours where people drink don''t eat.


Just have to pick your spots, watch for the good reviews such as Mezza Luna & Little Joey's etc. Going to restaurants that charge a little more may = better quality.

I've grown old with good food , at home and in quality restaurants, & will never settle for lowering my expectations ... I worked too hard thru my life for my money!

Enjoy those places you like and avoid the others.

[rubicon]

[B][/

Why would a person lower their expectations of good food and service just so they can experience going out then and paying for it? How does a person who has become accustom to good tasting, perhaps gourmet quality food all of their lives, suddenly say well I have to lower my expectations?

Why would a restaurant owner intentionally place their business at peril of failure by buying low quality food, providing low quality service ,etc. especially since 90% of restaurants giving it their very best fail?

The one truism here is that people have the right to express their disappointments, I mean after all they paid for that right

[redwitch]

Quite simply, because restaurants here cannot afford to pay the salaries to get the chefs and servers needed for even a 3-star restaurant. So, if you're from an area that has many 3-5 star restaurants, you better lower your expectations because you're never going to be happy eating out here. You have a choice -- become a gourmet cook (and become friends with a gourmet cook)) and never eat out or eat out, enjoy the company and the food as it is.

That doesn't mean you accept bad service or truly bad food -- I'll send back something that tastes off or just isn't good in a heartbeat. It means, that you find the restaurants you like and the things you like on their menu and you eat those. You don't expect top-grade ingredients. You expect good service. You do expect food to taste good. You expect hot or cold food, as appropriate.

Personally, I love Burke's. Would it fly in the SF Bay Area? Not even close but I'm quite happy to eat there when I can here. I think Mezza Luna has a chance to become a 3-star restaurant when it gets over the glitches and, as was said in another thread, shortens the menu. Little Joey's is good. Athens is great. TooJays is always a favorite of mine. But, quite honestly, I would as soon go to a Denny's than I would any of these if I were back in San Francisco. I would also be paying San Francisco prices.

As to a restaurant owner buying low-quality food, it works here -- price is the major factor here, not quality. As long as the food is edible, all is good.

[Matzy]

I do not have a problem with the food in restaurants in and around The Villages because it is good in my opinion. Of course I know it is not NYC or SF nor elsewhere in the world and so I do not have that expectations to be at one of those places when I am in TV.
And the prices are designed for people which are living here.
If I want a very special meal I look where I can find it and I always was able to find it.

[Villageshooter]

Gracy saidenjoy the big ole' Nathans hot dog and a soft drink at Sam's Club sometimes at lunchtime when I am shopping that costs $1.49 as much as my favorite places here to dine, Carrabas and Nancy Lopez.

You my dear are the queen of my Doublewide I love going to Sam's $1.79 for the weenie soft drink special With unlimited refills on the soft drinks and they do have cokes zero it is heaven ! set at the third table over in the front air-conditioning blows directly on you unlimited free Internet, If you set there for about 45 minutes there will be a pretty woman go by that has no tattoos and all of her teeth and had taken a bath that day, And if you get hungry some more you can always go back to the sample ladies and get all the samples to fill your belly up. Gracie great minds think alike I agree with you it is a wonderful place to go! So to keep in line with the thread of the post there are high-quality meals in the villages like this place you just have to find them, We have now shared our secret with the entire world Gracie, Probably won't be able to find a place to sit down. Last summer they ran out of containers for the onions and pickles and there was almost an uprising. If you ask for a chili dog there and talk real nice to the girl behind the counter she will almost put a whole can of chili on your weenie. I am really revealing some closely guarded secrets here.

[rdhdleo]

Never in 11 years have we had a bad meal at Lopez! Best place for a great filet and the rest of the menu is wonderful also. Also Bonefish, always great service and great good quality food. Asian food Bamboo Bistro hands above all others! New breakfast favorite is Rae Raes worth the drive!
That said I'm with Gracie you can't go wrong getting a Nathans hotdog at Sams LOL

[redwitch]

And another vote for Sam's and Nathan's. Gourmet food is nice once in awhile, Sam's hot dogs are good every day of the week!

[Bonny]

We eat out almost every night. We don't always get big full meals. I never have a problem finding good food. There are some places I don't care for so I just don't go.
Always good food and good service at Bonefish, Longhorn and even Red Lobster. I like certain things at certain restaurants. I like Codys, Mallory, City Fire, Mezza Luna, Cattle Baron and even Golden Corral. O'Sheas has several things that I really like as well.
Hubby is in heaven going to Home Depot and getting their sausage at the stand in front.

[patfla06]

I don't think it's just in The Villages. We are (STILL)in Tampa
and we feel the same way here.
Olive Garden used to be okay and even that has gone down.
I think a lot of places are trying to cut costs.

In fairness to restaurants, I think for me it could be "aging". When I
eat my own cooking my stomach never gives me problems.
I have to be more careful when I eat out.
We are more careful now where and what we eat.

[oldyeller]

I don't think it's just in The Villages. We are (STILL)in Tampa
and we feel the same way here.
Olive Garden used to be okay and even that has gone down.

In fairness to restaurants, I think for me it's must aging. When I
eat my own cooking my stomach never gives me problems.
I have to be more careful when I eat out.
We are more careful now where and what we eat.

No, I can't attribute it to aging! At this point in our lives we know whats a good meal and what's not. Unfortunately or fortunately for me I will eat almost anything and when I get a bad meal I know it. I must admit I had a good meal at GCC the other night, the three course dinner. I had the beef tips and noodles which was very good. One of the gals also had the same and questioned the amount of beef tips (3). I didn't count mine but it was good. Tonight we ate at CG, I had the pot roast which was very good. Stay tuned tomorrow is another day and another meal.

[TomOB]

Sometimes you get what you pay for. TV prices are good, but they may not have the top chefs. If you go off campus, you can get better food, but you pay the price. Eat at home or come to my house (with wine) to eat great food.

[llaran]

mmost meals are just ok, but we eat out toooo much anyway. we like Oakwood for ribs, Ruby Tuesday, Outback, Harry's in Ocala but pricy

[jflynn1]

This may help you and surprise you. Healthdepartment findings
Sumter County, Florida Restaurant Inspections (http://florida-restaurants.findthedata.org/d/a/Sumter)

[patfla06]

I know a good meal too but lately I seem to be happier eating at home.

[tialarre]

We had a great breakfast at Sonrise caf� and great lunch at First watch. You can't go wrong with Bonefish.

[karostay]

Villagers only want to pay cost of a Happy Meal and expect five star dinning

[rubicon]

I know of a number of people where price is no object and my wife and I are two but we do want utility for our dollar.

I have lived here 7 years and the only restaurant so far that meets both value and price is Lopez

[sharonga]

Had lunch yesterday at new Italian restaurant in Colony, Mezza Luna. Very impressed by ambiance and food. Had my favorite NY shrimp parmigana hero. I was very happy!!!! Thanks girls for a wonderful birthday lunch.

[RVRoadie]

Take a look at The Villages Gourmet In or Out Club (http://www.thevillagesgourmetclub.com) website. Club members review over 700 restaurants, both in, near and away from The Villages. Better yet, join the club so you can write your own reviews.

[Bay Kid]

Take a look at The Villages Gourmet In or Out Club (http://www.thevillagesgourmetclub.com) website. Club members review over 700 restaurants, both in, near and away from The Villages. Better yet, join the club so you can write your own reviews.

Nice site! Thanks

[buggyone]

Look, we have some mighty good restaurants in The Villages. Sure, they are not 5 star but a Manhattan or Washington DC restaurant quality costs around $75 per person on the average. Folks in The Villages would not pay that so the restaurant would go out of business.

For what Villagers are willing to pay for dinners and drinks, we have pretty good restaurants.

I really like Bonefish, Lopez, Glenview, and City Fire.

[justjim]

Obviously, what is a good meal to me could be a bad meal to you or another. Ambiance, service, and cost all go into a "good" meal. Then there is breakfast, lunch and dinner. Special occasions also call for a bit different meal to call it "good".

With all the restaurants in TV and within easy driving distance it's not difficult to get a good meal. You can also be disappointed in any restaurant. For a quick lunch, McDonald's has a lot of choices and for me that can be a "good" meal. Others, wouldn't go to McDonalds unless they were starving! Different strokes for different folks.

I think sometimes our expectations are too high. We have gone out once or twice with folks in TV who complain about "everything" at the restaurant---we avoid them after a couple of times. You know the kind of personality I'm talking about. If you aren't enjoying a "good" meal in TV somewhere, maybe you should check---is it me or them?

[Ecuadog]

... We have gone out once or twice with folks in TV who complain about "everything" at the restaurant---we avoid them after a couple of times. You know the kind of personality I'm talking about. If you aren't enjoying a "good" meal in TV somewhere, maybe you should check---is it me or them?

Bad company can ruin a meal faster than bad food can.

[jblum315]

Better a crust of bread with a real friend than a prime rib with a whiner.

[duffysmom]

Carrabba's has a delicious lunch menu, great prices and the best servers. Love the ambiance.

[Bonny]

Look, we have some mighty good restaurants in The Villages. Sure, they are not 5 star but a Manhattan or Washington DC restaurant quality costs around $75 per person on the average. Folks in The Villages would not pay that so the restaurant would go out of business.

For what Villagers are willing to pay for dinners and drinks, we have pretty good restaurants.

I really like Bonefish, Lopez, Glenview, and City Fire.

I totally agree !!! :BigApplause:

[jblum315]

I agree also. If you're used to paying $10 for a single drink and $25 to $50 for an entree in the big metropolitan areas, you're not going to find that kind of restaurant here because TV folks would not go for it and the place would go out of business in 2 days. Not even one such restaurant could survive here.

[rn1tv]

I guess we will never see a Ruth's Chris or Morton's here...to bad!

[shcisamax]

The difference is the rents and services in central Florida are not anywhere near those of Manhattan, etc. I would think you could find a quality restaurant that could serve a quality meal without charging Manhattan prices.

[buggyone]

I guess we will never see a Ruth's Chris or Morton's here...to bad!

You will have to get in your car and drive to the Orlando area, I believe. Getting around to different areas now and then is fun.

[mickey100]

The difference is the rents and services in central Florida are not anywhere near those of Manhattan, etc. I would think you could find a quality restaurant that could serve a quality meal without charging Manhattan prices.

That makes sense. And when you look at the large number of homes that are being sold now in the $500,000 and up range, there appear to be people who have the money to spend at high end restaurants.

[graciegirl]

That makes sense. And when you look at the large number of homes that are being sold now in the $500,000 and up range, there appear to be people who have the money to spend at high end restaurants.



But they are not in the majority. AND even those folks, with the more expensive homes, most of them, are still mindful of the bottom line. I know a quite a few who live in Premier neighborhoods who still keep their frugal ways and that may be how they got there.


Business will come if business can be supported.


There is nothing terrible wrong with the restaurants here.

[Cynbod]

Had dinner last night at Ruth's Chris in Manhattan. Great meal (great tree in Rockefeller Center too). We had a very special evening but it was also very expensive. I also enjoy most of the restaurants in TV and because they are more reasonably priced I can go out more often.

[Madelaine Amee]

We were at The Lighthouse Restaurant LSL last night. Excellent piece of fish and the other half had scallops.

Would I prefer to have a Legal Seafood, of course, but it 'aint going to happen so we make the best of it.

It is beyond me why people move here and continually complain about things they cannot change ................. life is too short!:ohdear:

[senior citizen]

We are just a bunch of old people All we want is cheap Just look at the places around Golden corral is packed It is one step above the Food kitchen for homeless people as far as quality goes cleanliness it's filthy but it's packed every night, They have to almost give the food away here for people with coupons to come The high dollar places with good-quality good service just can't make it Some Saturday morning going to Bob Evans and watch the people coming in there with coupons Go to Dunkin' Donuts and people are Cheating the coupon codes so they can have a free doughnut these are not people that are willing to pay sensible prices for sensible food. It is what it is just like people tell me when I complain about the place if you don't like it move. I tried to go to as many places as I can off of Morris property, The little mom-and-pop places care about their customers and have pride in the food that they provide. This does not solve your problem however it does explain some of the reasons for it.
L


I echo what you said above.

Also, one gets what they pay for, as another gentleman stated earlier........if discounted food is what one is looking for, that's what they shouldn't complain about, when they get it.

Obviously, food is perishable and if they don't have a steady stream of customers walking in the door.....the quality suffers.......or else they rely on frozen foods and just nuke them. To expect made from scratch fresh for you on order , at discount prices, is not a reasonable expectation.

Anyone who still shops for food in quantity will understand that.

Most of these "chains" use the same pre packaged frozen food you can find in your freezer aisle at the supermarket.........to nuke.

If fine dining is what one is after......then check around first.

When we visited, we ate at Bob Evans once, early on, and everything was over SALTY, as another poster stated, in general. Bob Evans used to be a good "home cooked" type of establishment that we'd stop at enroute across the country, years ago, so that was the only reason we stopped in the T.V. place. The other locations were not overly salty. This place in T.V. out on the highway, was ultra salty. Don't have high blood pressure, but neither do I use table salt.......so it was extreme. And, the food looked old and reheated.

We did like the Lighthouse Restaurant very very much and went there often. The fish was always fresh and fried fresh.

Ditto for the Waterfront Inn, which no one ever mentions. The food was always good. The staff always friendly and polite. The view out back very nice, the patio a nice place to sit or bring guests after eating. Whether inside or out on the deck, it was a nice relaxing informal place to eat; reminded us of a Maine restaurant.

Gators was good for a quick lunch.....nothing wrong with the service there. Whatever we had was always fine. Can't remember all the names of the luncheon places we stopped at. Ditto , they were all fine.

Hope to experience more of the country club dining places once we relocate. The Nancy Lopez Legacy Country Club restaurant across from Calumet Grove was always bustling and the grilled steaks, etc. smelled great "on the wind" across Buena Vista........will definitely return.

We also liked the Sicilian style pizza, etc. from Toscani's in Mulberry Grove.......they make their own Buffalo mozzarella cheese fresh......
Whatever we had from them was always fresh, at least when we were there. A few other lunch spots in Mulberry grove, ditto.....can't recall the names. For people used to Pizza Hunt and Domino's , they wouldn't like Sicilian style cooking, but we remember it from New York and New Jersey.

Loved all the fresh stuff at Sweetbay......sorry it is gone or replaced by another chain.......as I do like to cook for the two of us or our families.
It far surpassed Publix.....but that will have to do. Sweetbay was a subsidiary of Hannaford, the same supermarket chain we are used to in Maine and Vermont..........they have a huge organic produce section up here, etc., etc. Their bakery section (at Sweetbay) was a million times better than Publix. Hope the new place is good as well. We shall see.

That all said, everyone has a different frame of reference for what good food should taste like.......and a different "palate"........I'm sure with all of those 60 or more restaurants, there has to be some outstanding ones.
Again, we shall see.

[mickey100]

But they are not in the majority. AND even those folks, with the more expensive homes, most of them, are still mindful of the bottom line. I know a quite a few who live in Premier neighborhoods who still keep their frugal ways and that may be how they got there.


Business will come if business can be supported.


There is nothing terrible wrong with the restaurants here.

In your opinion there is nothing wrong with the restaurants here, but looking at the posts, many of them agreed with the OP. We all know people who are well off that are also cheap. And we all know people who don't have tons of money that will spend it on a good meal at a nice restaurant. Who cares if wealthy people are in the majority or not. That is not the point of the thread. The point is, as one of the posters commented, food in the Villages is a hit or miss affair, and many of us go outside The Villages for a good meal. The food tends to be better, cheaper, and restaurants not as overcrowded.

[keithwand]

Frugal sounds better than cheap and there is a big difference between the 2.

[mickey100]

Frugal sounds better than cheap and there is a big difference between the 2.

Yes, frugal does sound better than cheap. I know some wealthy people that are frugal, and I know some that are downright cheap. But we digress.

[Cedwards38]

Honestly, I've never had any difficulty finding a good meal in The Villages. Maybe my expectations aren't as high, but I generally always enjoy my restaurant experiences here.

[robertwbusby]

Why is it so difficult to get a good meal in the Villages? Over the years I have been to all of the restaurants here in the Villages and have found it difficult to get a good meal. That doesn�t mean I haven�t had a good meal in The Villages but lately it seems to have been hit and miss and mostly miss. Palmer and Lopez are for the most part the exception but they are not immune. The other night I went to EP and against my better judgment I had their prime rib special with au jus. I ordered it two years ago at another restaurant (it was bad) but thought I would give it another try. It was terrible, a thin cut of beef with gravy disguised as the au jus. Granted it was a good price but I am willing to pay extra for a good cut of prime rib. Another night I had the special at MCC, all you can eat tilapia, terrible! Last year we had friends in town and who ordered steak, at I forget where, it was embarrassing what they brought out. I have found that except for the simple stuff like a salad or a sandwich most of the entrees are at best sub par. I realize there are a variables that determine whether a restaurant can turn a profit or not, especially here in The Villages and I didn�t buy a house here for the food but it would be nice not to have to throw the dice every time you order food here in The Villages.

I have had similar issues with places to eat in and arround The Villages, one visit the food and service is great, the next visit it is all bad or a mix of good and bad. Those of us who eat out for all our meals tend to make the restaraunt circut in our area quickly and wonder where to eat next. Several restaraunts in our area have been good for me, good food, good service each and every time, that is not to say they are great for everyone since we all have such different taste. TWeston's BBQ in Wildwood; Traverna Red; Mallory Country Club; Evans Prairie Country Club; Cane Garden Country Club have all done a great job of providing good food, atmospher, and service...wish we had a good place to eat breakfast like a 24 hours diner like "Silver Diner" in Northern VA and MD.

[oldyeller]

Honestly, I've never had any difficulty finding a good meal in The Villages. Maybe my expectations aren't as high, but I generally always enjoy my restaurant experiences here.

I am happy for you. I also have generally enjoyed my restaurant experiences here. However since the prime rib , tilapia, and steak, "incident" I am very cognizant of what I order and what my expectations are. I am now at peace with reasonably good food and will from this day forward never again criticize the food in The Villages! I will also never order prime rib, a steak ,or the all you can eat tilapia.

Ralph, it's a beautiful day in The Villages.

Have nice day! :smiley:

[graciegirl]

In your opinion there is nothing wrong with the restaurants here, but looking at the posts, many of them agreed with the OP. We all know people who are well off that are also cheap. And we all know people who don't have tons of money that will spend it on a good meal at a nice restaurant. Who cares if wealthy people are in the majority or not. That is not the point of the thread. The point is, as one of the posters commented, food in the Villages is a hit or miss affair, and many of us go outside The Villages for a good meal. The food tends to be better, cheaper, and restaurants not as overcrowded.



You suggested that the area could support more expensive restaurants because you mentioned the number of over half a million dollar homes had increased. I responded to that by saying that many if not most people who live in those more expensive houses are careful with their money, and maybe that is how they can afford to live in them. I didn't say anything about the wealthy people being in the majority, it is clear they are in the minority. AND not many people care who is wealthy. It certainly doesn't matter to most of us.

Go back and count the number of posts out of the 72 who agreed with the OP. The majority did not. I counted ten or eleven in support of the OP with some posters repeating themselves.


I will say it again, fine dining will come if fine dining can be supported. It isn't some conspiracy to have only mediocre food. It is how the free market arranges itself.

[Steve & Deanna]

I guess we're not fussy enough but we've yet to have a bad meal at any of the restaurants in TV. Maybe the food was bad and the Manhattans were good??? Kidding. We ate at one Asian restaurant that we thought was a bit pricey for what you were getting but for the most part, we've been quite happy.

[Big O]

[QUOTE=oldyeller;793994]I am happy for you. I also have generally enjoyed my restaurant experiences here. However since the prime rib , tilapia, and steak, "incident" I am very cognizant of what I order and what my expectations are. I am now at peace with reasonably good food and will from this day forward never again criticize the food in The Villages! I will also never order prime rib, a steak ,or the all you can eat tilapia.

Ralph, it's a beautiful day in The Villages.

Oldyeller:
In just the short time we have been villagers I don't think we have had any truly awful meals. Most of them I would consider "acceptable". I don't think we have had any "outstanding" meals. A restaurant in The Villages has to cater to so many tastes that I don't think outstanding is possible. We may have to go to Ocala or Tampa to find outstanding. We may have to try one of those restaurants in 2014.

I know it's always a beautiful day in The Villages. I will be there next week to enjoy it.

[graciegirl]

Apparently you've done some sort of socio-economic study so you are an expert on what wealthy people can and can't afford. I think not. As far as the posts, I went through and looking at the posts - many offered no opinion or commented on one or two restaurants they liked, which in most cases were not within the Villages. Of the posters that actually replied to the OP's comment regarding restaurants being hit and miss, 11 agreed, and 15 disagreed, which supports my comment that many agreed with the original poster. This appears to be another case of someone getting bent out of shape if something regarding The Villages is questioned or labeled less than perfect, hence the "conspiracy" comment. How predictable.



Nope. I think that "rich" or "wealthy" means that you have the finances to meet all of your needs with some put back. I present to you that all I know is just from starting out as an uneducated Ohio farm girl and working hard all of my life and observing others a LOT. I haven't done any studies, Mickey.


People OFTEN can "afford " to spend on a lot of things, but some prefer not to. People who have few financial worries in their senior days have usually practiced restraint all of their lives so that at the time of retirement they can afford to live in the big or small homes like those in The Villages without worrying too much. Old habits die hard. I know that I was probably poor growing up, but never realized it until later. I am not sure what I am these days, but I don't spend foolishly. Old habits as I say, die hard.


As for how most people feel about whether the restaurants in the villages are poor, fair, good, or excellent. That will be an ongoing debate. I didn't quite get the same feel from the posts above that you did, but I think we view things differently and you well may be right and I may be wrong. I am not ashamed to be wrong. Just ashamed to be unkind.


sigh.

[graciegirl]

:undecided:Bill? I am completely OUT of popcorn. Janice and Greg came over last week and we ate the last bit you had given us at Crispers

[Big O]

Apparently you've done some sort of socio-economic study so you are an expert on what wealthy people can and can't afford. I think not. As far as the posts, I went through and looking at the posts - many offered no opinion or commented on one or two restaurants they liked, which in most cases were not within the Villages. Of the posters that actually replied to the OP's comment regarding restaurants being hit and miss, 11 agreed, and 15 disagreed, which supports my comment that many agreed with the original poster. This appears to be another case of someone getting bent out of shape if something regarding The Villages is questioned or labeled less than perfect, hence the "conspiracy" comment. How predictable.


How did finding a good meal turn into socio-economic warfare? I am new to the villages but even I can see when there are political undertones. I can even tell who is a "D" and who is an "R". Oldyeller, you must be a Communist asking such thought provoking questions. (We'll go to dinner next week and talk about it.)

[nitehawk]

:undecided:Bill? I am completely OUT of popcorn. Janice and Greg came over last week and we ate the last bit you had given us at Crispers while we watched a movie.

is this a private joke ???
it is good to see new blood on totv

[senior citizen]

[B][/

Why would a person lower their expectations of good food and service just so they can experience going out then and paying for it? How does a person who has become accustom to good tasting, perhaps gourmet quality food all of their lives, suddenly say well I have to lower my expectations?

Why would a restaurant owner intentionally place their business at peril of failure by buying low quality food, providing low quality service ,etc. especially since 90% of restaurants giving it their very best fail?

The one truism here is that people have the right to express their disappointments, I mean after all they paid for that right


Words of wisdom. You and your wife are on the same page as we are.


We rarely eat out up here, except when we are on vacation or traveling to visit our kids.


When I cook, at least I know I use quality ingredients and just prefer my own cooking, not to mention I always cook double so that I have leftovers which are even better..........


When eating out, especially the past few decades, food in restaurants all over the country has declined.......in my humble opinion. Every now and then , one might find a "gem" or a "diamond in the rough" were the chef or cook is really talented and has high standards of using fresh food.


However, typically, there is not much that would cause us to say, "Wow, that was really delicious".


It's also easier to just eat at home. Nothing compares to home cooked meals.......unless one is a lousy cook. I never cooked growing up at home. I taught myself, from cookbooks, once we were married in 1965.

If one can read, they can cook. It's really very scientific, as long as one measures correctly.........too much of anything spoils the outcome of the dish.

[graciegirl]

I am pretty satisfied with the restaurants here in TV because I know how to cook what I/we like to eat. I can fix pretty much what we all want to eat seven days outa seven if I want to.


I think that many people have moved from Chicago and New York and Boston areas or other areas where the restaurant owners served the ethnic food that those people are used to.


I grew up in Ohio and none of the cities there have a Chinatown or a really huge Italian population. No Indian restaurants, no Asian restaurants when we were growing up. We had simple food, good food,often home grown, home canned and fresh food and it was prepared well at home, and that is what we sought when we went out.


I have been invited to many homes here and have had some wonderful food prepared by Italian cooks and no wonder you are missing that wonderful taste. I am REALLY sorry that so many of you are disappointed, but those who are missing the kind of food you left back home shouldn't really be so............critical. You can't move New York here, nor would you want to. The Villages is what it is. Not perfect. I know plenty of places that serve very decent meals if you know what to order. AND the price is right.


But you do have the right to complain. From now on I am not going to try NOT to defend the food here


All this old woman needs to do is to google a recipe and get the ingredients and tweek it to taste. I am so grateful I know how to cook. I can't do many other things very well.


I am sorry if I have offended the OP. And you are right, I am a moderate to the right.;)

[mickey100]

Thanks Mickey. Your comments and conclusion represent one of the most astute responses seen here in a long time. A fairly large number of the participants you reference don't care much for someone who calls a Spade a Spade. Bravo!

Thanks Edna. And thanks to those who post the names of restaurants outside the Villages they enjoy or have had good luck with. We also have heard good things about Goblin Market and Pisces Rising in Mt. Dora, but haven't tried them yet. I imagine they are a nice change from the local chains.

[senior citizen]

I am pretty satisfied with the restaurants here in TV because I know how to cook what I/we like to eat. I can fix pretty much what we all want to eat seven days outa seven if I want to.


I think that many people have moved from Chicago and New York and Boston areas or other areas where the restaurant owners served the ethnic food that those people are used to.


I grew up in Ohio and none of the cities there have a Chinatown or a really huge Italian population. No Indian restaurants, no Asian restaurants when we were growing up. We had simple food, good food,often home grown, home canned and fresh food and it was prepared well at home, and that is what we sought when we went out.


I have been invited to many homes here and have had some wonderful food prepared by Italian cooks and no wonder you are missing that wonderful taste. I am REALLY sorry that so many of you are disappointed, but those who are missing the kind of food you left back home shouldn't really be so............critical. You can't move New York here, nor would you want to. The Villages is what it is. Not perfect. I know plenty of places that serve very decent meals if you know what to order. AND the price is right.


But you do have the right to complain. From now on I am not going to try NOT to defend the food here


All this old woman needs to do is to google a recipe and get the ingredients and tweek it to taste. I am so grateful I know how to cook. I can't do many other things very well.


I am sorry if I have offended the OP. And you are right, I am a moderate to the right.;)




Just for the record, no disappointment here; the chain restaurants in TV were similar to others all over the U.S. We did find favorite restaurants that I've mentioned in previous posts....all good, in TV.

Growing up, we ate mostly "American Style Meals" of the 1950's.........the ethnic foods were also prepared, but not solely Italian or Ukrainian. It was my grandparents who were the immigrants from Italy and Austria Hungarian Empire..........not my parents, who were born in the U.S. and as modern as they could be for the '40s and '50's, etc.

http://americanmemoryofthe1950shousewif.bgsu.wikispaces.n et/Home


http://americanmemoryofthe1950shousewif.bgsu.wikispaces.n et/Home

A blast from the past. Although I was a child in the 1950's, I do recall envying my friends who had the traditional stay at home mom "housewife" such as June Cleaver who is mentioned in this article. I was a "latch key kid" whose mom worked out of the home and had to "catch up" with the housework in the evenings and on the weekends. Dad, who worked also, pitched in. I recall never seeing any other dad who cooked, like he did. Later I discovered during my genealogy research and comparing stories with others, that all Italian men were taught to cook from an early age. Thankfully, for us kids, he had dinner on the table when my mom returned home from work (as he got home earlier; she had to commute in a car pool).

She would do her own American style cooking or ethnic Ukrainian/Polish style cooking on the weekends.......

By the time the mid 60's arrived and I was a newlywed, I loved cooking every international couisine out there and tried it all , in addition to the typical American diet, and three years later was HAPPY to quit work to remain at home to welcome our first child and then our second one three years later.......having NOT enjoyed being a latchkey kid, I made the conscious decision to be a stay at home mom........and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our children thrived and prospered with all of the attention; our home was always open to their friends and basically I succeeded in them NOT feeling like I did in the 1950's as a latchkey kid (which was especially hard during the summer school vacations......). I did laugh at this depiction of the lopsided male / female relationship of the '50s........ours was more a partnership....unlike how this article depicts the male female relationship of that era................anyway, fun to read and ditto for the "sidebar" Stepford Wives ditty.


P.S. Anyone who grew up in the greater New York New Jersey metropolitan area knows that the "city" has top world wide cousine, not just Italian. Luchows was known for their German food; it was delicious......served in an elegant old world setting. I still remember the sauerbraten and little tiny dumplings, etc. (forget the name of them), the red cabbage, etc. As dating teens we would drive over to New York and eat in all types of ethnic restaurants..........as adults, ditto. People who are from that area will vouch for this. Ditto for the greater Boston area........Chicago, etc. which has some really great Polish bakeries, etc. and our good neighbor to the north, Canada's Quebec, with its French cousine and French Canadian fare, which we LOVE........my own Italian grandmother had French ancestry and many of her "cousins" settled in Quebec and Ottawa as well as Nova Scotia....another favorite place of ours. Our first daughter in law was from Singapore........she had a varied International "palate" and I still remember her trying to make tira misu for us when they moved into their first home. It was delicious. NOWADAYS, PEOPLE HAVE A SUPER GREAT MIX OF ALL ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.........including Chinese. America truly was and is "the melting pot" and it's fun to be nostalgic about what we ate in our grandparent's kitchens of old...................

[Peachie]

[QUOTE=graciegirl;794415]I am pretty satisfied with the restaurants here in TV because I know how to cook what I/we like to eat. I can fix pretty much what we all want to eat seven days outa seven if I want to.



I think this may be the key to how many of The Villages resident feel about restaurants, Gracie. All of us probably know how to cook and cook well, (it's not rocket science), the dishes we really enjoy and crave.

Most of us, however, have evolved from the years of being committed to the stove and serving a meal 3 times a day at home to enjoying meals at restaurants here and there for the freedom and socialization. We don't hold every meal we consume in restaurants up to perfection, it is about life and living it.

Some restaurants do fall short of a meal I can whip up at home but greeting and talking with friends and neighbors during an evening out to dine is more important to us. There are some restaurants in The Villages that always rise to the occasion and those are the ones we frequent when we crave a top notch experience. But then again, our world doesn't revolve around food.

[LndLocked]

IMO ... the restaurant food within TV proper is in the ok to good range. The chain places are the chain places and NL CC & AP CC are good but not excellent or exceptional. I have not tried any of the CC's south of Palmer, so I have no 1st hand experience.

Someone mentioned Goblin Market & Pisces Rising in Mt. Dora ... I would but both in the very good range, with entree prices in the $15 - 30.00 range. PR has a nice outdoor deck / bar with a wonderful sunset view over Lake Dora.

[mickey100]

...
Someone mentioned Goblin Market & Pisces Rising in Mt. Dora ... I would but both in the very good range, with entree prices in the $15 - 30.00 range. PR has a nice outdoor deck / bar with a wonderful sunset view over Lake Dora.

Sounds wonderful.

[buggyone]

I have been to both Pisces Rising and Goblin Market. In my viewpoint, both are way overpriced and over-rated.

I forgot to mention another one of my favorites earlier. Hacienda Hills Country Club in The Villages is great. Their executive chef, Brian, is excellent and has created some innovative dishes.

[nitehawk]

from my observation many people in tv could miss a meal or two (maybe three)

[graciegirl]

from my observation many people in tv could miss a meal or two (maybe three)



Yep. I am one of them.


Too much good stuff has entered my mouth as of late, prepared or wrapped or left under my tree by loving friends.


And MY resistance is NOT strong.

[eweissenbach]

I have tried most of the restaurants in TV and, for the most part, find them very good and reasonable. I am probably easy to please, and not as discerning as some, but it have NO problem finding meals to my liking there. By the way, I have always said I am happy I am, like my mother, "easy to please". Seems to me to be a better way to go through life than being frequently displeased.

[Ray Roberts]

I expect I must be in a different Villages. Abe Lincoln made an often quoted remark about pleasing everyone...........

[mickey100]

If you don't mind venturing outside TV, but still staying kind of local; Mt. Dora has a few one-of-a-kind restaurants in the downtown area. Goblin Market is a quirky, higher-end restaurant and we've found it to be a lovely place to get a unique dinner.

JB Boondocks in Howey-in-the-Hills is a nice, casual place to have a meal directly waterfront on Little Lake Harris.

If you're looking for a special place to have a champagne brunch, Mission Inn Resort - also located in Howey-in-the-Hills - has a wonderful weekly Sunday brunch with an awesome selection of incredibly indulgent food. There is a tuxedo suited gentleman who plays piano in the middle of the room to give it a nice ambiance. The dining room has floor to ceiling windows overlooking one of their golf courses.

Although reservations aren't needed, we always make them as it is always sold out even though they offer their brunch at two different start times each Sunday. Although the atmosphere is formal, the dress code is casual. Some people go to the brunch directly following church, so there's a mixture of attire from ranging from casual to 'Sunday Best'.

Mission Inn also has a few other higher-end to more casual restaurants on their property. Very unique and special experience, you should definitely consider dining there.

Hope you found this information helpful and hopefully you'll have a good experience and enjoy the food choices offered if you do decide visit any of these restaurants. :)

Thanks Todd & Shaun. These sound like they are worth checking out. For us adventurous folks its nice to keep one's options open and to try new places.

[Lovey2]

I've been trying really hard not to respond to this, but.... I just don't get why some of the most common things are "The Villages" fault? I've had many a nice meal here, and a few not so, but nothing to whine about. Everywhere I've ever been I could complain about the restaurants if it wasn't EXACTLY how I enjoyed my food...really! And I've only been here a few months, but am tired of people complaining about the lack of "gourmet" food stores, or a Macy's, etc. etc. I could have all that in Philly, as they could have where they are from. I chose to be here, I researched the area, and there must be a very compelling reason I chose to move. How about you? Did you research, ride around, EAT OUT? A little constructive criticism is one thing, or maybe "I'd like to see..." but, really, "The Villages" is not to blame for everything.

[buzzy]

I've been trying really hard not to respond to this, but.... I just don't get why some of the most common things are "The Villages" fault? I've had many a nice meal here, and a few not so, but nothing to whine about. Everywhere I've ever been I could complain about the restaurants if it wasn't EXACTLY how I enjoyed my food...really! And I've only been here a few months, but am tired of people complaining about the lack of "gourmet" food stores, or a Macy's, etc. etc. I could have all that in Philly, as they could have where they are from. I chose to be here, I researched the area, and there must be a very compelling reason I chose to move. How about you? Did you research, ride around, EAT OUT? A little constructive criticism is one thing, or maybe "I'd like to see..." but, really, "The Villages" is not to blame for everything.

Great post.

[carlanddiane]

I've been trying really hard not to respond to this, but.... I just don't get why some of the most common things are "The Villages" fault? I've had many a nice meal here, and a few not so, but nothing to whine about. Everywhere I've ever been I could complain about the restaurants if it wasn't EXACTLY how I enjoyed my food...really! And I've only been here a few months, but am tired of people complaining about the lack of "gourmet" food stores, or a Macy's, etc. etc. I could have all that in Philly, as they could have where they are from. I chose to be here, I researched the area, and there must be a very compelling reason I chose to move. How about you? Did you research, ride around, EAT OUT? A little constructive criticism is one thing, or maybe "I'd like to see..." but, really, "The Villages" is not to blame for everything.

just about says it all !!!

[Bonny]

I've been trying really hard not to respond to this, but.... I just don't get why some of the most common things are "The Villages" fault? I've had many a nice meal here, and a few not so, but nothing to whine about. Everywhere I've ever been I could complain about the restaurants if it wasn't EXACTLY how I enjoyed my food...really! And I've only been here a few months, but am tired of people complaining about the lack of "gourmet" food stores, or a Macy's, etc. etc. I could have all that in Philly, as they could have where they are from. I chose to be here, I researched the area, and there must be a very compelling reason I chose to move. How about you? Did you research, ride around, EAT OUT? A little constructive criticism is one thing, or maybe "I'd like to see..." but, really, "The Villages" is not to blame for everything.

I agree !!! I love it here. I have no problem finding a good meal. We eat out almost every night. Yes, I like some restaurants better than others, but to me, it's all good !!!

[ugotme]

In my infinite wisdom (????) I have decided to NOT comment on restaurants !

The reason is simple - everyone has different tastes! (Brilliant huh?)

I may look here for recommendations but, in general, we will go and try and

then decide.

I was going to elaborate but no need! LOL